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Pink eye, red eye, and infective
conjunctivitis
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- The conjunctivum is the membrane
that lines the eyelids and the Sclera (white of the eye).
Infection or irritation of the conjunctiva and the
inflammation (redness, irritation, swelling) that results is
termed Conjunctivitis.
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- Eyes are red or pink.
- Eyelids stick together especially
in the morning.
- Eyes Itch.
- Excess tearing.
- White-yellow or cream color thick
sticky discharge (usually in bacterial infections).
- Watery discharge (Allergic or
Viral).
- Pain may be present.
- Bacterial symptoms often in one
eye.
- Virus infections and allergies
often affect both eyes.
- Bleeding or hemorrhage can
be seen as rupture of tiny blood vessels.
- Viruses such as Herpes can cause
tiny ulcers (shallow open sores).
- Swelling of conjunctiva can occur.
- Sensitivity to
light.
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- Symptoms
- Do others have similar symptoms?
- Illnesses
- Job
- Medication
- Chemical exposure
- Family history
- Allergies
- Travel
- Direct examination of the eye with
an Ophthalmascope, an instrument with a light that allows
the doctor to check the inside of the eye.
- Vision exam -- using an eye chart
- Eye discharge may be collected and
sent for a culture
- Cultures that identify the type of
infection and bacteria usually take about 48-72 hours to
grow.
- Viral cultures take longer
- The doctor can stain the crusty
eye discharge with a special dye and look at it under a
microscope (Gram stain or Giemsa stain), but this is a
rare treatment these days.
- Special stains and slides can be prepared from the discharge to look for specific infections such as the Papanicolaou test for Herpes Simplex.
- Staining the eye with Fluorescein
dye will show cuts and ulcers under an ultraviolet lamp.
- Blood tests can also be done for specific
causes
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- See causes.
- During delivery if mother has
Neisseria gonorrhea or chlamydia the baby's eyes may become
infected.
- Trauma.
- Schools or institutions where
others have conjunctivitis.
- Poor hygiene and frequent touching
eyes.
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- If ulcers or damage has occurred,
the patient is referred to an eye specialist
(Ophthalmologist)
- Warm (NOT HOT) water can be used to
wash the debris. Cold water may help with irritants,
chemicals and allergic conjunctivitis.
- Remove contacts
- Treatment of bacterial infections include:
- Antibiotic eye drops or ointments
that are given for 5-7 days
- Gentamicin, Tobramycin and
Erythromycin ophthalmic preparations are often put in
every 4 hours.
- Antibiotic pills are rarely
necessary, but Doxycycline, taken orally for 3 weeks, is
effective against chlamydia.
- Viral infections without
ulcerations are usually resolved without treatment
- Antiviral eye drops and pills such as Acyclovir are
effective therapies for Herpes
- Allergy medicines
- Avoid the causative agent
- Oral and antihistamine eye drops
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Contact
your doctor for an eye exam. If the chemicals have gotten
into your eye, wash them immediately with cold water and get
to the emergency room. Do not delay
treatment!
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